Mary Ann (Annie) Bayles

Born: 22 September 1881 at Bluff, San Juan, Utah, USA
Parents: Ole Hanson Bayles and Mary Ann Durham
Married: (LDS Sealing) 8 April 1903 at Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, USA
Died: 27 October 1947 at Monticello, San Juan, Utah, USA

History

Annie and Ole Hansen Bayles were not yet married married when the original company of colonists in the Hole-in-the-Rock expedition reached Bluff. After helping explore the four corners region of the territory, Ole Hanson (Hanson) returned to Parowan to marry his sweetheart in late 1880, and returned with her to Bluff where Mary Anne was born in September 1881. The families were close neighbors and co-workers in Bluff for the next twenty years. Mary Anne’s mother had died in childbirth in 1888 and her father, his mother, and the women of the little town, provided for the young family’s needs, including construction of a beautiful stone home. During those same years, George’s parents completed a grand home, as well. Both attended what school was available in Bluff and participated in community dances and church activities.

Life in San Juan County:
Both of their fathers invested their resources and energy in raising cattle. From a young age George worked on his father’s ranch and “literally grew up in the cattle business.” George was always very committed to the Latter-day Saint religion, and as a young man left Bluff to serve a mission in the Southern States. When he returned, George married Annie. After their marriage, George made livestock his career, working alongside his brothers and father. During their early years of marriage, George and Annie likely lived in one of the pioneer cabins at Bluff, most likely that of George’s parents, and they had their first two children there: Louven and Earl. Then, in 1906, George was called to serve a mission in Portland, Oregon. However, rumors of local Indian uprisings in Bluff necessitated George’s return home after only a few months.

Life in Bluff was good for George and Annie. Annie was a talented vocalist and gave voice lessons to young women in Bluff. She was known for her stirring performances and enjoyed singing for church services and community events. Local residents remembered George as a “very good-looking man . . . [who] always wore a good looking hat.” George liked to wear his hat crooked, and this became his trademark. Everyone enjoyed George’s optimism and good sense of humor. Eventually, three more children were born to the couple in Bluff: Anna Marie, Clarence and Ray.

The Perkins family lived in Bluff until 1916, when George moved his family to Blanding. George went to work building a nice home, a large barn and a granary. In Blanding, three more children were born: Carl, Emma and Don, who passed away in infancy. Although George and Annie had to care for a large family, they always opened their home to people in need. Since there were few accommodations in Blanding, travelers were often directed to the Perkins place. George and Annie were known for their hospitality. They were also well known among the Indians for their kindness. It was common to see Indians eating home-cooked meals on their front porch. It is also said that the Indian Jess Posey, son of Chief Posey (the Indian often blamed for uprisings in 1916 and 1923), always brought his family to the Perkins’s property to spend the winter.

By the early 1920’s George’s health began to decline. He sold his stock in the family ranch operations to his brothers and got out of the cattle business. Because he was unable to work like he used to, George threw his energy into supporting his community and church. He served for several years as a county commissioner, worked as the town marshal, and was a part of the Blanding Stake High Council. Local histories recorded that “Mr. Perkins [had] been a citizen of marked progressiveness and [had] given loyal support to measures and enterprises projected for the general communal good.”

George and Annie spent their final years serving and caring for others. Annie was known for her kind service and hard work ethic. In May of 1937, George traveled to Salt Lake City to have his appendix removed and passed away during surgery. After George died, Annie continued her involvement in the community and as the matriarch of a large family. George Perkins was a devoted member of the Bluff and Blanding communities. His enterprising spirit and charitable attitude helped the communities of the San Juan succeed.

Sources:
Modified from: Researched and written for the Hole-in-the-Rock Foundation by: C.S.M. Jones LLC, Family Heritage Consulting.

Family Search:
Mary Ann (Annie) on FamilySearch